American Indian Elders and Depression: Short-and Long-Term Effects of Life Events

Abstract

This research examines stressful life events as predictors of psychological problems among a population of older American Indians of the Great Lakes region. It assumes that meaning attached to these events is not culture-free. The data used are from a longitudinal study of 309 American Indians age 55 and older who were interviewed at two time periods in three distinct strata: urban, rural (off-reservation), and reservation. Life events are measured by the presence and perceived severity of 19 discrete events. Hierarchical regression analysis is used to determine the influence of life events on depression after controlling for sociodemographic factors, functional ability, and comorbidity at both Time 1 and 18 to 24 months later at Time 2. Although Time 1 depression accounts for most of the variance at Time 2, comorbiditywas also a significant predictor over time. Whereas life stress has a short-term effect on mental health, the burden of comorbidity increases over time.